Wadsworth Library

1500 Wadsworth Avenue
Philadelphia, PA 19150-1699
Wadsworth & Michener Aves.
Open today 11:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m.
Sunday Closed
Monday 11:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m.
Tuesday 11:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m.
Wednesday 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Thursday 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Friday 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Saturday Closed

Upcoming Closures

  • Mon., May. 27 : Closed Memorial Day
  • Thu., Jun. 13 : Opening at 1:00 PM due to staff development
  • Wed., Jun. 19 : Closed Juneteenth
  • Thu., Jul. 4 : Closed Independence Day
View all holiday closings

Services By Appointment

Services

Facilities

  • Bicycle rack
  • Book drop box
  • Computers for public use
  • Electrical outlets available
  • Handicapped accessible
  • Meeting space (reservation required)
  • Parking lot
  • Photocopier (black/white)
  • Printing (black/white)
  • Public restrooms
  • Street parking (free)
  • Water fountain
  • Wireless internet access (wi/fi)

Upcoming Events

Chair Yoga for All

Tue, May 21, 2024 2:00 P.M.

Chair Yoga allows you to perform yoga poses while seated or using a chair for balance.  Chair-based/adaptive yoga offers the same benefits of traditional yoga, like boosting strength,…

Movement Around the World, with Thembi Palmer

Wed, May 22, 2024 11:00 A.M.

This workshop for children will explore how people move their bodies in play across different countries through engaging activities and multicultural perspectivs.  Children will learn about…

Chair Yoga for All

Tue, May 28, 2024 2:00 P.M.

Chair Yoga allows you to perform yoga poses while seated or using a chair for balance.  Chair-based/adaptive yoga offers the same benefits of traditional yoga, like boosting strength,…

Social Services at the Library with a Social Worker

Thu, May 30, 2024 10:00 A.M.

Stop by for Open Office Hours with a Social Worker where you can receive help finding, navigating, and connecting to relevant community and government agencies.  This service will be…

About

Located in the Wadsworth Avenue shopping district, this branch serves the Wadsworth, Cedarbrook, Ivy Hill, and East Mt. Airy communities. A free parking lot on Michener Street serves many of the stores in the area.
 

History

The Wadsworth area became part of the city of Philadelphia in 1854. Prior to a housing boom that began in the 1940's, the area was open woodlands and farms. Therefore, there are only two buildings in the community built before the 1940's. Wadsworth Avenue and Michener Street were named after two of the old family farms.

Before there was a branch library, the neighborhood made heavy use of the Free Library's bookmobile. Wadsworth Avenue Library, a modern building with a glass "storefront," opened on July 30, 1959. In 1992, the building reopened after being closed several years for asbestos removal and building renovations, including the addition of a meeting room. Colorful ribbons enlivened the glass façade and neon lights brightened the interior.

The library was further renovated in 1999 as part of the "Changing Lives" campaign, which refurbished branches and brought Internet service.